Daily
Except 21 to 26 December;31 December to 04 Januaryand 29 March to 3 April inclusive

Hotel

Twin/Double/Family room from £ 415 per person
Children from £ 310 per child
Single room from £ 575 per person

Accommodation information

Notes

Child reduction applies to children aged 3 to 15 inclusive on the basis that they stay in a room with 2 adults.

We regret that children under the age of 3 are not carried on this tour.

Seasonal Price Range
£415 - £645

Once booked this package cannot be altered or cancelled.

Departure times are for guidance only.
The actual time of your train journey
will be confirmed at time of booking.

Product code: ST 00313

Tour Summary

Edinburgh is a tale of two cities where a dramatic balance exists between the high, dark buildings of the medieval Old Town and the classical architecture of the Georgian New Town.

This tour combines a relaxed stay in Scotlandís Capital City with the opportunity to explore another of Scotlandís great cities Ė Stirling, the picturesque Trossachs region, bonnie Loch Lomond and, possibly, Scotlandís most attractive malt whisky distillery.

Day 1: Speed from the heart of London to Edinburgh by Express train. This afternoon explore Edinburghís Royal Mile and visit Edinburgh Castle.

Day 2: Enjoy a full day excursion to Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Glengoyne Malt Whisky Distillery.

Day 3: Explore Edinburgh on a hop-on, hop-off tour that includes the medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town. Later return to London by high-speed train.

View Full Tour Itinerary

Day One

London - Edinburgh Castle

After a swift journey by high speed train from London to Edinburgh settle in to your city-centre hotel for your two-night stay in Scotland.

This afternoon discover the history and architecture of Edinburghís medieval Royal Mile. For centuries this famous thoroughfare was the hub of life in Edinburgh. A gentle stroll along any part of this historic street will take you in the footsteps of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and a host of colourful Scottish characters.

The highlight is a visit to Edinburgh Castle which sits on a crag and provides a striking backdrop to Edinburghís skyline. Join a guided tour led by one of the castles warders to hear dramatic tales of siege, warfare, dark deeds and intrigue! On your tour youíll see the Scottish Crown Jewels, Mons Meg (a giant cannon) and St Margaretís Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh. There are also spectacular views of Edinburgh to enjoy from the battlements.

Edinburgh has lots a quality restaurants to choose from with many specialising in Scottish fish and seafood. Look out for popular "pre-theatreĒ menus where you can enjoy good food at great savings, if you eat early. There will be plenty of choices available, just a short walk from your hotel.

Overnight: Edinburgh

Day Two

Loch Lomond and Whisky Excursion

Our journey commences with a drive past Linlithgow Palace which sits overlooking a lovely loch. It was here that Mary, Queen of Scots was born.
Youíll have a chance to visit imposing Stirling Castle*. It stands on a sheer crag looking down towards Bannockburn, the battlefield where in 1314 Robert the Bruce defeated the English. James V turned the castle into one of Scotlandís most sumptuous palaces, it becoming the home of the Scottish court.

The Trossachs is a wonderful area of lochs and wild mountain vistas. We travel along the banks of Loch Venachar then enjoy the views as our coach climbs the Dukes Pass to reach the pretty village of Aberfoyle. Next is a stop by the "bonnie, bonnie banksĒ of Loch Lomond where there is time for lunch.

The last stop of the day is at pretty Glengoyne Malt Whisky Distillery*. Here you can go behind the scenes to learn how whisky is made and taste the end product!

Overnight: Edinburgh

Day Three

Sightseeing Tour/Edinburgh - London

Today enjoy an open-top bus tour of Edinburgh to explore the city at your own pace. You can hop-off to visit the places that interest you then catch the next bus to continue your tour.

On your tour youíll discover the New Town with its grand squares and sweeping crescents that feature some of the finest Georgian architecture in Europe. There are dark tales to be told of executions and two of Edinburghís most infamous citizens, Burke and Hare, as you tour through the Grassmarket. Hear the tale of Greyfriarís Bobby and see the statue of the little Skye terrier after touring the new Quartermile area. At the foot of the Royal Mile sits the iconic Scottish Parliament building and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, HM The Queenís official residence in Scotland. Finally there are wonderful views of Arthurs Seat and Queenís Park to enjoy as we make our way back to the city centre.

If you fancy some retail therapy youíll find the designer label shopping aplenty in fashionable George Street whilst grand Princes Street provides world-class shops and department stores including Jenners, Edinburghís very own version of Harrods! If youíre looking for antiques or quirky souvenirs try friendly Stockbridge or Victoria Street, just off the Royal Mile.

All to soon itís time to head to Waverley Station to board your comfortable train for the return journey to London. Haste ye back!

This information is given for guidance only and prices are subject to change without notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I experience on this
Freestyle Train Tour?

This carefully planned semi-independent tour will
stretch your holiday time to the max, without making you feeling rushed. A
unique combination of travel by train, comfortable accommodation and quality
sightseeing will give you extra time to explore Scotland in greater detail.

All the documentation you need, including
your rail tickets, will be emailed to you around 7 days prior to your trip.
Just print these out and you are good to go. Any questions or if you need your
documents earlier - just email or call us, weíre here to help.

On the tour youíll travel independently by train to and from London. Weíll make
sure you have a reserved seat and weíll send you a comprehensive itinerary so
you know whatís happening at any time during your tour.

This personalised
document contains step-by-step directions to your hotel in Edinburgh as well as
the sightseeing tour departure points, which are all close by. Your tour to Stirling Castle, Loch
Lomond and Glengoyne Malt Whisky Distillery will be fully guided by an
experienced driver/guide. The city tour of Edinburgh is by open-top double deck
bus and is hop-on, hop-off with 14 conveniently located stops.

What are the train times?

Subject to availability we will make a
reservation for you on a train departing London (Kings Cross) Station between
07:00 hrs and 08:00 hrs (arrival time in Edinburgh between 11:22 hrs and 12:20
hrs). The return journey will depart Edinburgh at 16:30 hrs (arrival time in
London (Kings Cross): 20:53 hrs).

Will someone meet me in Edinburgh?

This is a semi-independent tour so you will not be
met on arrival in Edinburgh. A comprehensive and customised itinerary is
included as part of your documentation together with an Official Guide to
Edinburgh. Assistance is also available by telephone 7-days a week.

How will I find my hotel?

This Freestyle Train Tour has been very carefully
planned. Your hotel has been selected not just for its comfort but also for its
location close to the railway station as well as your sightseeing requirements.
Concise directions on how to reach your hotel will be given in your customised
tour itinerary.

What type of room should I choose?

Selecting the right sleeping
arrangements can be a little bit confusing so here is a description of what you
can expect from your hotel accommodation:

Single room - this is a room for one person sleeping in a single bed. Twin room - this is a room for two
people sleeping in two separate bedsDouble room - this is a room for two
people sharing one large bed Family room - this is a room for three people
sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person).

Please note that a family room can be a
standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed. All our accommodation features en-suite facilities (the toilet and shower are
located in your bedroom for your exclusive use.

How and when will I get my train
tickets?

All your documentation will be emailed
to you approximately 7 days prior to your tour commencing. It is important that
you print these documents and bring them with you on the tour as you will need
to exchange the vouchers to access the various services that make up this
package.

Can I cancel or alter this tour?

We are sorry but once booked it is not
possible to cancel or change this tour without incurring 100% cancellation
charges. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance coverage in
place.

What happens if I miss my train?

The tickets that are issued as part of
this package are only valid on the train service shown on the ticket and in
your itinerary. If you miss the train you will need to purchase new tickets at
your own expense. We recommend arriving at London and Edinburgh Stations at
least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your train so that
you have time to locate the departure platform.

What's Included

2 nights accommodation in a room with private bath/shower

Return standard class train tickets from London to Edinburgh

City tour of Edinburgh by open-top bus

Full day excursion to Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Glengoyne Malt Whisky Distillery

Admission to Edinburgh Castle

Customised tour itinerary & Official Edinburgh Guide

Service charges and taxes

Not Included

Admission charges unless otherwise stated in the itinerary

Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature

Gratuity to your tour host

Departure information

The train departure time will be shown on your train tickets and documentation.
from Kings Cross Railway Station, Euston Rd, London N19 ALReturns: 21:43 hrs